North Korea-China trade climbs to highest level since early 2020: Customs data

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North Korea-China trade climbs to highest level since early 2020: Customs data

Chinese exports to DPRK surge 57% in first quarter of 2022 despite COVID-19 lockdowns near border region

Ethan Jewell April 18, 2022

North Korea-China trade climbs to highest level since early 2020: Customs data

People walk along the Yalu River, which separates China (left) from North Korea (background, right), on June 16, 2016 | Image: NK News

North Korea-China trade recovered to early pandemic levels in the first quarter of 2022, new Chinese data shows, appearing to push ahead despite renewed COVID-19 lockdowns in China.

According to China’s General Administration of Customs (GAC), North Korea imported $57 million worth of goods from China in March 2022, bringing total quarterly imports to $173 million. Pyongyang imported $110 million in the prior quarter.

About the Author

Ethan Jewell

Ethan Jewell is a Seoul-based correspondent for NK News focused on sanctions, trade and maritime issues. He previously worked as an investigations and intelligence specialist for Pinkerton Comprehensive Risk Management and as a research intern for the Brookings Institution's Center for East Asia Policy Studies.

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